26984 words

reason

9 definitions • 20 examples
1
the cause of an event or situation or something that provides an excuse or explanation:

Examples:

reason for The reason for the disaster was engine failure, not human error.
[ + question word ] The reason why grass is green was a mystery to the little boy.
[ + (that) ] The reason (that) I'm calling is to ask a favour.
reason is because not standard The reason I walked out was because I was bored.
[ + to infinitive ] The police have (every good) reason to believe that he is guilty.
with reason She was furious, and with reason (= with good cause).
for reasons best known to yourself For reasons best known to himself (= for reasons no one else knows about) he's decided to leave his job.
for some reason For some reason, he's never fined for speeding.
2
because of:

Examples:

He's always asked to these occasions by reason of his position.
3
the ability of a healthy mind to think and make judgments, especially based on practical facts:

Examples:

the power of reason We humans believe that we are the only animals to have the power of reason.
lose your reason mainly UK old-fashioned He lost his reason (= became mentally ill) when both his parents were killed in the crash.
4
within the limits of what is acceptable and possible:

Examples:

We can wear anything we like to the office, within reason.
5
to try to understand and to make judgments based on practical facts:

Examples:

[ + (that) ] Newton reasoned (that) there must be a force such as gravity
reason something out I spent hours reasoning out the solution to the puzzle.
6
the cause of an event or situation, or something suggested as an explanation:

Examples:

[ C ] She had never stopped by before for any reason.
[ C ] There must be a reason why she’s not here yet.
[ U ] Adams had good reason to fire Pickering.
7
the ability to think and make judgments, esp. good judgments:

Examples:

Meditation seemed to have improved her ability to reason.
8
to think about and make a good judgment about:

Examples:

[ + (that) clause ] He reasoned (that) he had only four or five years left as an athlete.
9
to argue with and try to persuade someone:

Examples:

[ I ] Grace kept her voice gentle, as if she were reasoning with a child.

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